DOES THE LAW PUNISH LAW-BREAKERS?

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 246, 10 July 1908, Page 4

DOES THE LAW PUNISH LAWBREAKERS?

Sir, — During eight years' residence in Europe I havo, in common, with many absentees, been proud of . the New Zealand Conciliation and Arbitration Act. ■ I have written explaining its provisions. \I 'have praised it in' season and out of season; and I havo' endeavoured to rebut criticisms •'against it. When asked what would happen ■in bad times if decisions went against the workers, I havo always retorted: "Nothing :would happen. Anyono defying the award of the Court .would simply be punished according to law, and swirtly." " How?" '.'ln the first place,-by seizing Union funds; these are riot easily coricoaled. Secondly, by seizing individual funds: a large percentage of workers havo homes partly paid for. These, as a last resort, could be seized through ,tho Supreme Court — a costly proceeding, but .cost is not a factor in execution of . law. Thirdly, by imprisonment." ".'Why not?"- " In our lowest Courts' iudgmonts in trifling offences are recorded daily: so many shillings fine, in default sq many days' imprisonment." . " But that" (I have often gone on to say) ''will not be necessary: You do not underjstand New Zealariders. The demagogue who ■ never worked is no longer their leader. They ;aro truo Socialists. They only desire what is fair between man and man and what benefits iequally all classes, not like the English anti- : Socialist (as I term him) who refuses an . Arbitration Act because -.lie fears it will not give him more than-justice. Besides, even .'should all such proceedings'in law fail (which is most unlikely), there are many other ways in which the New Zealand Parliament could, • and no doubt would, qjiickly give preventive i'-powers of punishment." . .. . -I have 'only been here three' months. Must I already eat all-my words? I pass by-tho 'columns upon columns-of words contributed : by a learned member of the_ Government, '.which darkened - the subject) without solving .-the question: Does :;the| law effectually • punish those who break it?" 1 But when Mr. ! Millar, one of the real founders of-the Act, ■although not quite in its present shape, appeals to the-workers somewhat thus:'' Don't break the law or Parliament may repeal the Act, and you will ibe the losers," what arß !wo to think? - Is that not tantamount to 'saying: "It is a law valuable to you because' -you can break it with impunity, _ but it is not worth your while doing so till a more ■favourable opportunity." Will Mr. Millar answer my simple question: Does -the; law effectually punish those.who defy the judgement of the Arbitration Court?—l am, etc.; , EDWARD REEVES. •.Tnlr 1. ' I